The increase to $1.7 billion was driven by a 13% increase in advertising revenue, primarily reflecting higher primetime ratings at the NBC broadcast network, and higher retransmission consent fees.
QUARTERLY REPORT
Comcast’s NBC TV 2Q Revenue Rises 11.5%
Comcast Corp. today reported results for the quarter ended June 30 that included an 11.6% increase in revenue from its broadcast television segment to $1.7 billion compared to $1.6 billion in the second quarter of 2012.
The company said the gain was driven by a 13% increase in advertising revenue, primarily reflecting higher primetime ratings at the NBC broadcast network, and higher retransmission consent fees.
Operating cash flow increased 6.4% to $206 million compared to $194 million in the second quarter of 2012, reflecting higher revenue, partially offset by an increase in programming and production costs associated with the timing of the airing of certain primetime shows.
Revenue at the company’s cable networks segment increased 7.7% to $2.4 billion compared to $2.2 billion in the second quarter of 2012, reflecting a new content licensing agreement, a 4.4% increase in distribution revenue and a 5.7% increase in advertising revenue.
Operating cash flow increased 8.9% to $860 million compared to $790 million in the second quarter of 2012, reflecting higher revenue and more moderate expense growth.
For the company as a whole, revenue increased 7% to $16.3 billion; operating cash flow increased 8.4% to $5.4 billion; and operating income increased 11.6% to $3.4 billion.
BRAND CONNECTIONS
Brian L. Roberts, Comcast chairman-CEO, said: “We are pleased with our results this quarter. Cable had outstanding growth, particularly in high-speed Internet, and NBCUniversal had strong performance across all of its businesses. Our focus on delivering innovative products and a superior customer experience is driving our success, including stronger video, voice and business services results in cable. NBCUniversal has real momentum, with solid growth in revenue and double-digit cash flow growth. We have a fantastic combination of cable and content businesses with many opportunities ahead.”
Read the company’s report here.
Comments (6)
Christina Perez says:
July 31, 2013 at 11:30 am
FREE ADVICE TO COMCAST: Want to see NBC revenues skyrocket even more? Make MSNBC available to local broadcast affiliates as a diginet. You’ll neutralize Sinclair’s threat to create a new news channel (which would be available to its broadcast stations) and you’ll goose MSNBC ad revenues by offering a much expanded audience. The issue of “cable exclusivity” is minimized by the fact that most major MSOs put broadcaster digichannels on their expanded basic tier. And once you do this, please lower cable rates and institute a senior citizen discount!
Wagner Pereira says:
July 31, 2013 at 11:44 am
Advice worth exactly what it cost – nothing. MSNBC reaches 90% of the households via MVPD. Reaching the additional 10% will not offset the drop of fees paid by the MVPD as this would now be available free – in fact it would end up costing considerable money as so much of MSNBC’s revenue comes from these fees. Access to MSNBC isn’t the issue. The problem is no one wants to view it – and thus the low ratings.
Jay Miller says:
July 31, 2013 at 12:52 pm
Higher prime ratings??????
Christina Perez says:
July 31, 2013 at 2:44 pm
Exactly. Would radically change the entire all-news landscape, to Comcast’s benefit.
Wagner Pereira says:
July 31, 2013 at 4:46 pm
As noted above, access is not an issue for MSNBC. No one cares to watch its content – no matter if its cable, satellite, diginet, internet or itunes. Content is King and the source medium is immaterial if someone wants to access it.
Christina Perez says:
July 31, 2013 at 5:15 pm
We get it, you don’t like MSNBC. The first all-newser to go broadcast local, incorporating local inserts on the hour/half hour will change the game. The ABC/Westinghouse Sat News Channel concept was “before its time.”